São Paulo – The 3rd Summit of South American-Arab Countries (Aspa) should not just be a meeting of heads of state and ministers, but also an opportunity for executives from both regions to do business. In the sidelines of the summit, there should be, on February 15th, the Aspa Ceo Summit, a trade forum organized by the Foreign Trade Society of Peru (ComexPeru).
According to the organisation, the number of businessmen to attend the forum should reach 400. Up to the moment, there are already 170 South American and 50 Arab companies enrolled. ComexPeru believes that these figures should grow as the event approaches. Companies enrolled represent sectors like agriculture, building, banking, energy (oil and gas), information and communications technology, pharmaceuticals, logistics, fish, textiles and tourism.
To participate in the event it is necessary to be invited and, for such, it is necessary to enrol to participate in the forum (www.aspaceosummit2011.org). When enrolment takes place, there is an option to schedule meetings with companies of interest. Any South American or Arab company may participate in the event.
According to the president at ComexPeru, Alfonso García Miró, the meeting with business leaders in the Arab countries represents a unique opportunity for closer ties with a market of over 300 million people. "The Aspa Ceo Summit may contribute to increase Peruvian exports. The Arab bloc buys approximately US$ 600 million from the world and has investment projects abroad with a net worth of US$ 163 billion," said Miró, in a press statement.
According to him, business roundtables should allow for businessmen from both regions to make specific deals and become partners. "In the Arab world there are strong emerging economies, which diversifies the business possibilities for the South American region," he said.
During the forum, there will be talks with authorities from both regions. Among the themes to be discussed are infrastructure, energy, water, food safety and natural resources.
The activities of the Summit of South American-Arab Countries should take place from February 12th to 16th. In the period, the government of Brazil hopes to proceed with talks for economic, social, environmental and cultural agreements with the Arab nations.
*Translated by Mark Ament
